Demystifying the enigma of SAT VS ACT

We all have our strengths and weaknesses, and a wise student gauges them before embarking on a test for college. Some students are strong in logic, while others are inclined towards creativity. Some tend to use the left side of their brain, while others vice versa. It is imperative to know which sort of test suits ones personality to ensure maximum success in it. A comparison between SAT and ACT is provided to assist our readers to make smart choices when applying for college. So familiarize yourself with both of them to know what is the exact nature of them and what would they be demanding from you.

SAT is more of a reasoning based test as compared with ACT which is content based. So, if you’re good at logic and reasoning and use left side of the brain more than the right side you might want to prefer SAT over ACT.

The ACT has multiple choice questions covering English, Math, Reading and Science. Students would have 175 minutes to complete the test without any break. As far as scoring is concerned, the four mentioned areas are averaged together to come up with a composite score. The ACT also has an optional 30 minutes writing test. If writing is your strength, you can certainly boost your marks.

SAT on the other hand starts with a 25 minutes essay writing section followed by critical reading and mathematics sections. As in the ACT, SAT also has multiple choice questions. But in the mathematics section, the test taker has to produce his/her answer as no options are given.

In a SAT test you’ll be given tricky questions. Some of the times a simple question would be asked in such a way as to baffle you while in ACT questions are pretty much straight forward. You’ll be asked directly instead of giving the questions any twists and turns. So, if you are a kind of a person who likes challenges and riddles, go ahead with SAT. Otherwise ACT is a much safer option.

The nature of both of the tests is different, although they end up doing almost the same function. SAT is designed to test intelligent quotient (the ability to solve problems) and general thinking of a student. While on the other hand, ACT is crafted in a way as to test the overall educational development of a student.

If you like to experiment in the face of adversity, then ACT is a better option. No marks are deducted for a wrong answer, while in the case of SAT, marks are deducted.

SAT is offered seven times a year. It is offered in January, March, May, June, October, November and December. The ACT on the other hand is offered six times a year. It is offered in February, April, June, September, October and December.

Although ample time is provided to the candidates to complete the test, SAT however, has fewer questions while the ACT has more. 14O questions are asked in a SAT test, while 215 are asked in the ACT.